Leg cramps

[Rhettsgreygal]

You might want to have a blood test done to see what your levels actually are if you're able. Otherwise it will just be a hit and miss on what the actual cause is if its a dietary defficiency.

Otherwise a whole body regular stretching routine (but specifically your calves and lower body) might also help. If you google pics of gastroc stretching it would be easier than explaining it Sometimes just tightness can cause cramping. It's something you may need to try for a while before you notice a difference though.

Any hormonal or activity changes lately?

I was to the doctor not to long ago. Blood tests were pretty much boring.

As for hormonal changes, my body doesn't know if it should bother me with pms or hotflashes. I just want both to be over with forever. Otherwise no real activity changes.

 

[snapshot]

I read a while back that Restless Leg Syndrome was a magnesium deficiency. This is the first i've heard of the mustard cure!

 

[Beekissed]

For immediate relief, just bite firmly on your bottom lip...not enough to maim yourself, but firmly enough that you feel it. It is not a distraction thing, it actually is an acupressure point and it has worked for me every time. Someone told me about it years ago...funny what one picks up in life, isn't it? Sort of like the ear wax cure for cold sores.

Do you work out in the hot sun and sweat much? If you do, you might also supplement your sodium. My mother has this problem and she has to take salt tablets after working out in the hot sun and getting sweaty.

 

[VickiLynn]

Just a thought - my night-time leg cramps went away after I switched to a new desk chair. I guess the old one was messing with my circulation?

 

[calendula]

I get those sometimes too, and I got them a lot when I was pregnant. My supervisor at my old job told me to stretch before bed, and it helped a lot. I also do this stretch if I get a cramp to help work it out. Other than that, I think it helps to stay hydrated, especially with this heat we're having right now!

 

[Lesa]

I think hydration really is the key. When Dh doesn't stop for enough water breaks- he really suffers. I would recommend trying a magnesium supplement. Don't overdo it-since it acts as a laxative....

 

[Dori79]

I used to have a lot of problems with leg cramps at night. Once I started walking regularly, stretching and drinking a lot more water, they completely disappeared. I appreciate that the problem can be from many other things like diet/vitamin deficiency, but I would cover the basics first to see if it helps. If not you can also see if your medicare supplement insurance will cover dietary supplements of more involved diagnostics if necessary.

 

[BeccaOH]

My mom is on a lot of meds, including water pill. She gets leg cramps in bed and even during the day a lot. Could be dehydration or low potassium, but some meds say that leg cramps are a side effect. Quinine helped her a lot, but it is getting harder to find.

 

[Rhettsgreygal]

I am starting with the with increasing water intake along with stretching and just getting up around the office and walking more. Drinking more water has me walking more. I don't have to walk that much when I drink coffee

If that doesn't help, I will try other suggestions.

Thanks for all the info.

 

[raro]

A little late to this thread, but I kind of joke that I'm the queen of leg cramps. I have had them for 5 years and they're caused (in my case) by a tumor pressing on my sciatic nerve and cutting down on circulation. Since it's in the bones of my spine, it leaches out calcium and vitamin D. My doc. said the best calcium is calcium citrate, only because it's easier to absorb than others. But the pills are so big and I already have a basketful of meds and can't swallow any more meds, so I take the plain Viactiv chews. But there are a few things to keep in mind:
A lot of companies recommend 1000 IU of calcium, but your body can only absorb about 500 at a time. So take two and two different times of the day.
If you take thyroid medication, don't take it at the same time as the calcium, because calcium will act against the thyroid.
I also have to take a magnesium supplement and a potassium supplement. The three minerals tend to act together, and if one is off, the others often are, too.
Like others have said, hydration makes things much worse, so be sure your'e drinking a lot!
And if all else fails, put a bar of plain Ivory soap in your sheets. Don't ask why, but many, many people have sworn that it eliminates cramps!